Concrete hanger bracket

ABSTRACT

An adjustable concrete form hanger to temporarily couple a concrete form used in the pouring of concrete to a structural pier or column until the concrete has cured at which time the adjustable concrete form hanger and concrete form are separated from the structural pier or column, the adjustable concrete form hanger comprises a hanger bracket coupled to an anchor stud or other attachment element embedded or welded to the pier or column by a first coupler and coupled to the concrete form by a second coupler such that the anchor stud, first coupler, hanger bracket and second coupler are symmetrically aligned in a vertical plane whereby the weight of the concrete form and poured concrete exerts minimal torsion force on the adjustable concrete form hanger in the vertical plane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

An adjustable concrete form hanger to temporarily couple a concrete formused in the pouring of concrete to a structural pier or beam until theconcrete has cured at which time the hanger and concrete form areseparated from the structural pier.

2. Description of Prior Art

Various structures and methods of temporarily supporting concrete formshave been developed. For example, hangers may be used to straddle to thetop flange of beams and connected to forms by bolts or other connectors.One common method is referred to as the needlebeam and consists of astructural steel or timber beam hung from the bottom flange of theoutside beam, extending out under the overhanging slab and under theadjacent interior beam for reaction.

The common method employs a structural steel bracket suspended by abolt, usually at a 45 degree angle, from a hanger anchored to orinstalled to straddle the top flange of the exterior beam.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,800 shows a hanger and bracket for supporting formwork for steel and concrete during the curing stage of a bridge deckoverhang. A hanger attached to the beam of the bridge supports aconnector carrying the bracket. The connector is maintained in asubstantially vertical position. The bracket is adjustable in bothhorizontal angle and in grade because of pivotally attached horizontalmembers, an adjustable compression leg, and connector means. Once thecement is set the bracket is removed for reuse.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,475 describes a bridge overhang bracket, attachableto a flanged girder for supporting concrete forms and catwalks ahorizontally aligned support beam the web of the flanged girder.Protruding upwardly from the top of the support beam near abutting endis a cylindrical boss which abuts against a flange of the flangedgirder. An inclined dual bolt hanger extends from the clips welded onthe girder flange to a stirrup on which the underside of the supportbeam rests.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,089 shows a concrete supporting bridge overhangbracket system which can be lifted and transferred in gang fashion froma first section of a bridge to a subsequent section. The system includesa series of longitudinally spaced apart laterally extending overhangbrackets to which concrete forms are secured. A lift bracket assembly isattachable to a pair of overhang brackets and can be clamped to the deckto support the overhang brackets and the forms from the deck so that thebrackets can be disconnected from the deck. Once disassembled, the liftbracket assembly can be supported by a crane and unclamped from thedeck, the crane thereafter moving the lift bracket assembly, theoverhang brackets and the forms to the subsequent section.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,074 relates to forms for molding concrete onhorizontal I-beams. The forms are adjustable from a position above thebeams. With respect to the interior space between two beams, clipsand/or hangers suspend bolts adjacent the beams, the bolts beingthreadably engaged with brackets between which extends a joist locatedbelow and in overlapping relation with the upper flanges of the beams.The bolts are rotatable from a position atop the beams to adjust thebrackets to control the locating of the joist. Sheeting supported on thejoist support a mold for wet concrete.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,559 teaches a concrete form support assembly forforms used to pour concrete for bridge floors. Such forms include aplywood flooring supported at a desired uniform depth relative to theplane of the upper surface of the bridge beams. The plywood flooring issupported by ledgers which extend laterally between the bridge beams andstringers on the top thereof which extend longitudinally and parallelwith the bridge beams. The ledgers are supported by vertical boltshanging from hanger bars on each side of each bridge beam, with supportplates at the lower end of the vertical bolts to support opposite endsof the ledgers, and threaded nuts below the support plates to adjust theplates and ledgers thereon up and down. After the plywood flooring hasbeen put in place, workmen cannot thereafter reach the adjusting nutsfrom above to make final depth adjustments of the flooring. The supportassembly in accordance with the present invention provides depthadjustable hanger bolts adjustable from above the plywood flooring afterit has been put in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,854 shows a structural supporting system for the useas a temporary support in concrete overhang construction and for the useas a support in concrete slab truss construction. The structuralsupporting system includes a series of support beams and a plurality ofsupport brackets positioned along the length of the support beam. Asupport bracket is provided at the opposite ends of the support beam forthe suspended support of the support bracket to increase or reduce thespan of the support beams. A series of cooperating brackets arepositioned intermediate the support brackets to support of one supportbracket in the concrete overhang falsework construction. A series ofcooperating brackets are positioned intermediate to the support bracketsfor the support of two support brackets in the concrete slab falseworktruss construction. The support bracket or brackets include adjustableupper and lower opposing gripping surfaces for engaging correspondingupper and lower surfaces of the support beam in adjustable mountingrelationship thereto. The brackets include an integral attachment pin tosecure the support beams to the support bracket for attachment of thesupport bracket to a fastener suspended from the concrete overhang formconstruction and the concrete slab falsework truss construction.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,393 shows a concrete form support bracket assemblyused to pour concrete bridge decks or building floors. The brackets,which are used in pairs, have a base plate to bear the weight of formledgers, a rear wall extending from the base plate, and a pair of spacedapart side walls extending from the rear wall and base plate. A fasteneris provided for securing the ledger in the bracket and an opening islocated in the base plate for providing a bolt to support and adjust thebracket. In the assembly form, the bracket may include a hanger bar,receiving channel and adjustable bolt as a support for the bracket.

Additional examples of the prior art are found in: U.S. Pat. No.2,380,183; U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,983; U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,674; U.S. Pat.No. 3,806,074; U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,217; U.S. Pat. No. 3,948,503; U.S.Pat. No. 3,981,469; U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,969; U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,745;U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,035; U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,399; U.S. Pat. No.4,474,736; U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,981; U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,993; U.S. Pat.No. 6,301,736; U.S. Pat. No. 6,454,232; U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,431; U.S.Pat. No. 6,715,176; U.S. Pat. No. 6,828,987; U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,444;U.S. Pat. No. 7,146,672; JP 2007231658 and Meadow Burke road and bridgeproducts, standard bridge hangars.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable concrete form hangercomprising a hanger bracket having a first coupler and a second couplerto temporarily couple a concrete form to a structural pier or column.

The hanger bracket comprises a pair of side members disposed in spacedrelationship relative to each other to receive at least a portion of aproximal end portion of an elongated member at least a portion of whichis externally threaded to operatively engage a portion of the firstcoupler and a hanger bracket channel to operatively receive a portion ofthe second coupler therein.

The first coupler comprises a first coupler member including an openingto receive a rebar or other rigid member therethrough extendingoutwardly from the structural pier or column and a second coupler memberincluding an internally threaded aperture or channel to receive andoperatively engage at least a portion of the externally threaded portionof the elongated member of the hanger bracket to adjustably secure thehanger bracket to the structural pier or column when the opening of thefirst coupler is placed over the rebar.

The second coupler comprises an elongated first coupler member at leasta portion of which is esternally threaded configured to operativelyextend through the hanger bracket channel and a second coupler memberengaging each side member of the hanger bracket including an internallythreaded aperture or channel aligned with the hanger bracket channel toreceive and operatively engage at least a portion of the externallythreaded portion of the elongated first coupler member to adjustablysecure the second coupler to the hanger bracket.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the adjustable concrete form hanger of thepresent invention in combination with a pier or column and concreteform.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the adjustable concrete form hangerof the present invention in combination with a pier or column andconcrete form.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view the adjustable concreteform hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial top view the adjustable concrete form hanger of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial side view of an alternate embodiment of theadjustable concrete form hanger of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of the alternate embodiment of theadjustable concrete form hanger of the present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to anadjustable concrete form hanger generally indicated as 10 to temporarilycouple a concrete form generally indicated as 12 to a structural pier orcolumn generally indicated as 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the adjustable concrete form hanger 10comprises a hanger bracket generally indicated as 16 having a firstcoupler generally indicated as 18 and a second coupler generallyindicated as 20 attached thereto to releasably couple the adjustableconcrete form hanger 10 on the upper surface 22 of the upper portion 24of the structural pier or column 14 and the concrete form 12respectively.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hanger bracket 16 comprises a pairof substantially parallel side members each indicated as 26 disposed inspaced relationship relative to each other to receive at least a portionof a proximal end portion of an elongated member 28 at least a portionof which is externally threaded 30 to operatively engage a portion ofthe first coupler 18 and a hanger bracket channel 32 to operativelyreceive a portion of the second coupler 20 therein.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the bottom 34 of each side member 24comprises a flat surface to engage and rest on the upper surface 22 ofthe upper portion 24 of the structural pier or column 14.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first coupler 18 comprises a firstcoupler member generally indicated as 36 including an opening oraperture 38 to receive a rebar 39 or other rigid member therethroughextending outwardly from the upper portion 24 of the structural pier orcolumn 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a second coupler member 40 including aninternally threaded aperture or channel 42 to receive and operativelyengage at least a portion of the externally threaded portion 30 of theelongated member 28 of the hanger bracket 16 to adjustably secure thehanger bracket 16 to the upper surface 22 of the upper portion 24 of thestructural pier or column 14 when the opening or aperture 38 of thefirst coupler 18 is placed over the rebar 39. As best shown in FIG. 4,the first coupler member 36 comprises a substantially U-shaped elementhaving a pair of substantially parallel legs each indicated as 44 toreceive the second coupler member 40 therebetween to cooperatively formthe opening or aperture 38.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, the second coupler 20 comprises anelongated first coupler member 46 at least a portion of which isexternally threaded 48 configured to operatively extend through thehanger bracket channel 32 and a second coupler member 50 engaging theupper inclined surface 52 of each substantially parallel side member 16of the hanger bracket 10 including an internally threaded aperture orchannel 54 aligned with the hanger bracket channel 32 to receive andoperatively engage at least a portion of the externally threaded portion48 of the elongated first coupler member 46 to adjustably secure thesecond coupler 20 to the hanger bracket 16.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternate embodiment of the first coupler 18 incombination with the substantially same hanger bracket 16 and secondcoupler 20 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Specifically, the hanger bracket16 comprises a pair of substantially parallel side members eachindicated as 26 disposed in spaced relationship relative to each otherto receive at least a portion of a proximal end portion of an elongatedmember 28 at least a portion of which is externally threaded 30 tooperatively engage a portion of the first coupler 18 and a hangerbracket channel 32 to operatively receive a portion of the secondcoupler 20 therein. The bottom 34 of each side member 24 comprises aflat surface to engage and rest on the upper surface 22 of the upperportion 24 of the structural pier or column 14.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first coupler 18 of the alternateembodiment comprises a first coupler member generally indicated as 56including an opening or aperture 58 to receive a rebar 39 or other rigidmember therethrough extending outwardly from the upper portion 24 of thestructural pier or column 14 (FIGS. 1 and 2) and a second coupler member60 including an internally threaded aperture or channel 62 to receiveand operatively engage at least a portion of the externally threadedportion 30 of the elongated member 28 of the hanger bracket 16 toadjustably secure the hanger bracket 16 to the upper surface 22 of theupper portion 24 of the structural pier or column 14 when the opening oraperture 58 of the first coupler 18 is placed over the rebar 39. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first coupler member 56 comprises asubstantially flat plate 64 to receive or support the second couplermember 50 thereon.

As in the preferred embodiment, the second coupler 20 comprises anelongated first coupler member 46 at least a portion of which isexternally threaded 48 configured to operatively extend through thehanger bracket channel 32 and a second coupler member 50 engaging theupper inclined surface 52 of each substantially parallel side member 16of the hanger bracket 10 including an internally threaded aperture orchannel 54 aligned with hanger bracket channel 32 to receive andoperatively engage at least a portion of the externally threaded portion48 of the elongated first coupler member 46 to adjustably secure thesecond coupler 20 to the hanger bracket 16.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 and 5, the hanger bracket channel 32 isinclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees from the horizontal and90 degrees from the upper inclined surfaces of the substantiallyparallel side members 16.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained andsince certain changes may be made in the above construction withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

1. A concrete form hanger to temporarily couple a concrete form used in the pouring of concrete to a structural pier or column until the concrete has cured at which time said concrete form hanger and concrete form are separated from the structural pier or column, said concrete from hanger comprises a hanger bracket coupled to an anchor stud or other attachment element embedded or welded to the pier or column by a first coupler and coupled to the concrete form by a second coupler such that the anchor stud, said first coupler, said hanger bracket and said second coupler are aligned in a vertical plane whereby the weight of the concrete form and poured concrete exerts minimal torsion force or moment on said concrete form hanger in the vertical plane.
 2. The concrete form hanger of claim 1 wherein the hanger bracket comprises a pair of substantially parallel side members each including an upper surface disposed in spaced relationship relative to each other to receive at least a portion of a proximal end portion of an elongated member at least a portion of which is externally threaded to operatively engage a portion of said first coupler and a hanger bracket channel to operatively receive a portion of said second coupler therein.
 3. The concrete form hanger of claim 2 wherein the bottom of each said side member comprises a flat surface to engage and rest on the structural pier or column.
 4. The concrete form hanger of claim 2 wherein said first coupler comprises a first coupler member including an opening to receive a rebar or other rigid member therethrough extending outwardly from the structural pier or column and a second coupler member including an internally threaded aperture or channel to receive and operatively engage at least a portion of said externally threaded portion of said elongated member of said hanger bracket to adjustably secure the hanger bracket to the structural pier or column when the opening of said first coupler is placed over the rebar.
 5. The concrete form hanger of claim 4 wherein said first coupler member comprises a substantially U-shaped element having a pair of substantially parallel legs to receive said second coupler member therebetween to cooperatively form said opening.
 6. The concrete form hanger of claim 4 wherein said second coupler comprises an elongated first coupler member at least a portion of which is externally threaded configured to operatively extend through said hanger bracket channel and a second coupler member engaging said upper surface of each said substantially parallel side member of said hanger bracket including an internally threaded aperture aligned with said hanger bracket channel to receive and operatively engage at least a portion of said externally threaded portion of said elongated first coupler member to adjustably secure said second coupler to said hanger bracket.
 7. The concrete form hanger of claim 2 wherein the second coupler comprises an elongated first coupler member at least a portion of which is externally threaded configured to operatively extend through said hanger bracket channel and a second coupler member engaging said upper surface of each said substantially parallel side member of said hanger bracket including an internally threaded aperture aligned with said hanger bracket channel to receive and operatively engage at least a portion of said externally threaded portion of said elongated first coupler member to adjustably secure said second coupler to said hanger bracket.
 8. The concrete form hanger of claim 7 wherein said first coupler comprises a first coupler member including an opening to receive a rebar or other rigid member therethrough extending outwardly from the structural pier or column and a second coupler member including an internally threaded aperture to receive and operatively engage at least a portion of said externally threaded portion of said elongated member of said hanger bracket to adjustably secure said hanger bracket to the structural pier or column when said opening of said first coupler is placed over the rebar.
 9. The concrete form hanger of claim 8 wherein the first coupler member comprises a substantially flat plate to receive or support said second coupler member thereon.
 10. The concrete form hanger of claim 2 wherein said hanger bracket channel is inclined at an angle of substantially 45 degrees from the horizontal.
 11. The concrete form hanger of claim 10 wherein said upper surfaces of said substantially parallel side members are inclined relative to the horizontal.
 12. The concrete form hanger of claim 11 wherein said hanger bracket channel is inclined at an angle of 90 degrees relative to said upper inclined surfaces of said substantially parallel side members. 